[amsat-bb] ARRL VUCC

[Jim Danehy]

I was disappointed by N3TL's  email posting on the AMSAT  BB today concerning ARRL's  VUCC program as it applies to satellite operating.

I have been an ARRL member for 55 years. I have VUCC on both 6 meters and 2 meters. I also am on the ARRL  DXCC  Honor Roll and I have the ARRL  #1 Honor Roll plaque for having worked all the DXCC countries.  I have been around for awhile. I remember very well the Gus Browning , W4BPD  QSLs from places that he never operated from or had permission to operate from. I also remember problems that the league had with Don Miller, W9WNV for the same reason in their DXCC  program.

I recently got back on the satellites (was on in 1974 through 1976). In about 6 weeks I have worked over 130 Grid Squares. My goal is a VUCC on the satellites. Some of those have been Grid Expeditions. Not so certain now that I want to continue to expand my efforts and money (SASE and outgoing postage) only to have the league question the legitimacy of those operations. 

Does the ARRL question the "Rovers" that take part in the ARRL   VHF   contests ? I am unaware of any of those operations from rare grids being challenged or disallowed. Someone please correct me if I am in error on that opinion.

I had been planning to do some grid expeditions myself. There should be some communication and understanding by the league that is missing at this time. It is a shame that there is inconsistency and selective application of documentation and confirmation standards of where you were operating from. 

Disappointed but not surprised by the ARRL's   AD  HOC  rule enforcement.

Jim W9VNE
EM79tb   Cincinnati, Ohio